Assessing the Value of Sports Facilities: The Importance of Noneconomic Factors

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Abstract
Capital projects have economic as well as social (i.e., noneconomic) outcomes. Therefore, one cannot evaluate such projects by focusing on economic data only. This article describes the first five years of a tennis facility, built with public funds in 1990-91 in New Haven, Connecticut, to host the Volvo International Tennis Tournament (VITT). In doing so, it explores the economic impact of the facility, discusses the shortcomings of economic impact studies, and defines appropriate criteria for evaluating the community value of sports facilities by calling attention to noneconomic factors such as political capital expended, potential for political conflict, and community pride and solidarity. The importance of a development logic to guide policy makers and to provide a framework for evaluation also is noted.

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